Rwanda Takes Legal Action Against UK Over Migration Agreement

(MENAFN) Rwanda has initiated legal action against the British government over a controversial migration agreement that London discontinued nearly two years ago, according to reports released late Tuesday.

The deal, originally negotiated by the previous UK administration, was abandoned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer shortly after he assumed office in July 2024, following widespread criticism from human rights advocates.

Before the agreement was terminated, the UK reportedly transferred £240 million ($330.9 million) to Kigali. In November 2024, London asked Rwanda to waive two additional payments of £50 million ($66.9 million) scheduled for April 2025 and April 2026, claiming this request aligned with the anticipated formal termination of the treaty, according to Kigali.

Rwanda indicated it might accept such terms if the treaty were officially ended, provided that new financial arrangements were negotiated and mutually agreed upon. However, no such discussions ultimately occurred, leaving “the amounts remain due and payable under the treaty,” the statement noted.

After the UK made clear it did not intend to honor further payments, Rwanda filed the case with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands in November of last year.

In its statement, Kigali criticized Prime Minister Starmer for declaring the deal “dead and buried” without notifying Rwanda in advance, a move described as contrary to the partnership’s spirit. The statement also alleges the UK violated the treaty regarding “the financial arrangements” and “refusing to make arrangements to resettle vulnerable refugees from Rwanda.”

“Rwanda regrets that it has been necessary to pursue these claims in arbitration, but faced with the United Kingdom’s intransigence on these issues, it has been left with no other choices,” the statement concluded.

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